Ocean Beach: On July 31, 2011 Jason S (last name withheld) was surfing at Ocean Beach near Lawt0n Street, San Francisco. It was 6:30 PM and he had been on the water about 30 minutes. Air and water temperatures were estimated in the low 60s Fahrenheit. No marine mammals were observed in the area. Jason S reported; I was surfing alone at Lawt0n Street and was about 100 yards offshore.
The weather was overcast and the water was bumpy. I heard a splash about 20 yards to my left and glanced over. There were birds above the splash and so I thought it was a bird diving for fish. A few seconds later a dorsal fin emerged from the water about 10 - 15 feet directly in front of me cruising parallel to shore. Only about six inches of the fin was exposed but I was close enough to know that it was definitely not a dolphin.
The back of the fin had a straight, serrated edge. I couldn't see a shadow or tail fin so I couldn't tell the size/length of the fish. I waited for what I think was 30 - 60 seconds before I turned to paddle in. Please report any shark sighting, encounter, or attack to the Shark Research Committee.
